Submit Book Reviews

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Nothing like
the well-known three bears, Theo, Dash, and Charlie are cubs who have broken their mother’s
blue seashell and promptly set out on a quest to replace it.They meet interesting boaters along the way,
and resist tempting side trips in order to stay focused on their mission; but
they’re unsuccessful in the hunt for the blue seashell. With their moods deflated
and large storm clouds moving in, they begin to squabble.Realizing they must work together in the face
of danger, they complete their journey and return safely home where Mama Bear
waits for an explanation of their absence.The three bears, in a true test of their character, confess to their
misbehavior and the reason they left home without permission.If the story isn’t heartwarming enough, the
watercolor illustrations are a treat for your eyes.Kindergarten and first grade readers will get
a chuckle from the illustration where the bears swim underwater investigating
every possible, yet unlikely, place for a seashell.

Loula loved her very large dog, Mister, and the feeling was mutual. They did everything together, usually leaving a mess in their wake. A big dog can leave a big mess. One day Loula heard her mother talk about getting rid of "that monster" and went in search of a solution. A few adventures later, Loula returned home, only to find that the "monster" was something else entirely, and that her mother also loved Mister. Velleneuve's watercolor illustrations with ink pen accents reminded me of those in Ludwig Bemelman's beautiful series of "Madeline" books.Lynette Suckow, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

If a picture
is worth a thousand words, THE FARMER AND
THE CLOWN by Marla Frazee is worth a fortune.In this wordless book, a hard working farmer watches a young clown fall from
a circus train passing by his field and hurries over to help.The two unlikely companions form a friendship
and, when the train returns to collect its clown, the new friends trade hats as
a way to remember each other. Illustrations
project the clown's color and energy into the farmer's colorless life. Frazee effectively uses body language and facial expression to convey emotions,
capturing the farmer’s transformation from a sober sort of man to someone who
has regained his sense of joy.